SB CAN names new executive director

Joyce Howerton of Lompoc has retired as executive director of Santa Barbara County Action Network (SB CAN), with the vacancy filled by Ken Hough, the advocacy organization announced.

Howerton, a former Lompoc mayor and recent candidate for 4th District county supervisor, worked for SB CAN for nearly three years, first as advocacy director and then as executive director.

“Joyce Howerton has been a political leader and activist in North County for decades,” said Joann Marmolejo, SB CAN’s board president. “... Joyce was a founding member of SB CAN and served as North County vice president for many years.

“Joyce says she would like to take a break for a while, but will soon return to community life. We welcome her continued involvement with SB CAN,” Marmolejo added.

Hough worked for the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) in the mid-1980s before working as director of community planning and operations and in other executive positions at the Sacramento Area Council of Governments for 22 years.

He retired four years ago and joined the SB CAN board after returning to Santa Barbara.

“SB CAN feels very fortunate that Ken Hough was one of our board members and able to step right in effective August first as executive director. He’s very qualified, with his experience in transportation, housing and land-use planning, and we look forward to his leadership,” Marmolejo added.

SB CAN promotes social and economic justice and works to preserve environmental and agricultural resources and create sustainable communities.